"... Mr. Hohenheim, it seems that you are also very optimistic about this competition."
"Yes, the knowledge left by Mr. Nico Flamel is naturally extremely valuable, and can even be said to be a treasure in the global magic world. But no matter how valuable the knowledge is, it is just a pile of mineral veins buried under the loess. We need gems, and we need talents who can mine them and carve them..."
"...So I think the players who stand out in this game are the real 'gems'."
At the dinner table, Maka's conversation with Mr. Hohenheim seemed very pleasant.
This wizard, who can be said to have been at the forefront of global alchemy, also has a very clear focus. He also hopes that Nicol Flamel's legacy can be used more completely, more effectively, and more efficiently for all wizards, rather than being monopolized by one or a few parties, and then choosing like the family system society in the past. Keep it secret.
Of course, it is actually very difficult to achieve this, as he and Maka both know.
"Yes! Talent is what everyone needs most..." Mr. Hohenheim nodded and sighed slightly, "So I hope that those players who perform well will not be restrained by some unnecessary forces..."
After some contact, Maka discovered that although Mr. Hohenheim was full of muscles, he was a man with a rough appearance and a delicate heart. He has a thorough understanding of the current situation in the magic world and has a clear understanding of those forces.
Unfortunately, the more clearly you see, the more powerless you feel sometimes. People are always profit-seeking, and both Muggles and wizards will pursue their own interests. It is naturally unrealistic to want to change this.
Therefore, in France at that time, Maca and Madame Maxime discussed a plan to divide the overall interests.
In this competition, on the surface, someone will win the championship crown, but in fact, it can be said that everyone gets a prize, but the ones ranked first can get more shares.
"Mr. Hohenheim," Maka raised the goblet and gestured to him, "Isn't it just to help the contestants get rid of those constraints when I invite you here this time? You are the chief judge of this competition, so why don't I invite you more? Please take the trouble—"
"Hahaha, why bother... isn't this a matter of course?" Hohenheim also raised his glass and said with a hearty smile, "However, the weight of our Egyptian Alchemy Research Center alone is not that big, I'm afraid it's not that big. Please help Hogwarts more!"
Maka clinked glasses with him, then took it back and took another sip, but her eyes inadvertently glanced at the seat next to him.
"Oh, right." He paused, and then continued, "Mr. Hohenheim, I wonder if Sarah has told you that she just won the first place in her grade in the recent class test! This is amazing, I think you should praise her..."
"Really?" Hohenheim quickly showed a look of surprise after hearing this, "Sarah, why didn't you tell dad?"
"It was just a small test," Sarah beside him smiled quietly and said reservedly, "Professor MacLean is too generous and Sarah can't bear it."
"How can I get an award? I'm not exaggerating," Maka smiled, but changed her subject, "In addition, Sarah's alchemy is particularly outstanding. Mr. Hohenheim, I think she should participate in this event." A game...what do you think?"
"oh?"
The moment Maka said this, he saw Mr. Hohenheim subconsciously making eye contact with Sarah. Although it was just a touch, he still captured it accurately.
"... Haha, I think you don't need to ask me this." The other party spread his hands and said, "You see, I am the chief judge of this competition, and... In fact, I have always left it to her to decide on her own. of."
Mr. Hohenheim's laughter was still so bold, but Maca could hear a subtle feeling in it. Although he couldn't explain exactly where that feeling came from, he knew that it was by no means a simple answer like "I've always left it to her to decide."
As for Sarah, she did not respond to Maka's words this time, but directly avoided it by drinking juice.
"I see," Maka nodded upon seeing this, "Sarah's ability to become as independent as she is now must be inseparable from Mr. Hohenheim's training. Well, by the way... The Egyptian Alchemy Research Center recently What good stuff are you researching? Can you tell me about it?"
It's enough to ask what you just said once. If you entangle yourself too much, it will affect the other party's mood. After all, he is the chief judge this time, and the reason for coming here is just the competition - this event is very important to Hogwarts, and Maka is not someone who doesn't distinguish between priorities.
"Oh, of course it's no problem, actually-"
Maka took the initiative to change the topic, and Hohenheim naturally followed suit. But this time, he couldn't continue speaking properly because an interrupter suddenly appeared.
"... Wait, you... you can't..." "Click."
Since these wizards from the research center are equivalent to judges, in addition to the leader Mr. Hohenheim, the remaining dozen or so fellow travelers will also assist in the judging of the competition. Alchemy is not something as simple and clear as Quidditch, where each judge will need the support of a team.
So for the sake of fairness, Maca deliberately arranged for them to have lunch in another small hall in the castle, instead of letting them go to the side hall of the auditorium with the participating groups.
However, it seems that some people are not very conscious yet
But when the door of the small hall was pushed open from the outside, Maka realized that she seemed to have thought wrong. Because he soon saw that the guys who ran in happily despite Filch's obstruction were not from the delegation.
"McLean, she, they—"
Maka waved her hand to stop Filch from continuing.
"You go out first..." He asked Filch to leave the small hall first, then frowned slightly and said, "Ms. Skeeter, didn't I say hello to the editor-in-chief of your Daily Prophet? The judges' The interview time will be at noon the day before the competition starts—you are not interviewing the delegation in the side hall of the auditorium, so what are you doing here?”
That's right, the person who suddenly came over at this moment was Rita Skeeter, the special correspondent of the Daily Prophet who likes to show off her pen and show off her cleverness the most.
During the Triwizard Tournament, Maka slightly threatened her once, which made her somewhat more honest. If nothing else, at least she never dared to slander Maka directly, and indeed rarely appeared in front of Maka.
I don't know what happened to her today that she dared to barge in so recklessly despite Filch's interception. If she didn't know that Maka was here beforehand, that's absolutely impossible.
"No, no, Mr. McClain, of course I know about the appointment of the interview time, and I have no plans to do it this time... Look, I didn't even bring the magic camera..." Rita Skeeter pushed her eyes on the bridge of her nose. , the scarlet lips opened and closed quickly, "Actually... Well, Mr. McClain, can you come over first? I have a 'little thing' to tell you-"
When she said these words, there was an extremely artificial mystery on her face, and she deliberately emphasized her tone at the end. It can be seen that the "little things" she talks about are definitely not "little things".
From Maka's point of view, this woman just barely had the words "I want to make a deal with you" written on her face.
But since the other party seemed to have some news, Maka didn't mind listening to it. This is not the first time he has done this kind of transaction. As long as there are enough benefits, it is not a bad idea to give others some convenience.
"Mr. Hohenheim, everyone, I'm sorry, but I have to excuse you for a moment."
After confessing, Maka took Skeeter to the rest area next to the small hall.
"Sit down." Maka took the lead and sat down on the sofa. After gesturing for the other person to sit down as well, she waved her hand and said, "Just say what you want to say!"
"Well, that's it..." Rita Skeeter pushed up her glasses again, and a white light flashed on the glass lenses for a moment, "Mr. McClain, if you are interested in what I am going to say next, I don't know. Can you..."
"You want the judges' priority for interviews, right?" Maka interrupted, "If what you say is indeed valuable, there is no problem in introducing you to Mr. Hohenheim now."
After all, it is a world-class event, and the news media this time is not just the Daily Prophet. It is natural for Skeeter to want to compete for the right to receive priority interviews.
However, Skeeter didn't look too excited about Maka's promise.
"Of course that's good..." She pretended to smile charmingly, "But at least I personally think that my information is worth more than this!"
"Huh?" Maka couldn't help but raise her eyebrows when she heard this, "Then what price do you want?"
"After the event, we will have the exclusive right to use the footage when Nico Flamel's legacy is announced—" Skeeter said, raising an index finger. "On the first day, as long as it's the first day!"
As for Rita Skeeter's lion opening, Maka didn't show too much surprise.
The role of the media is undoubtedly huge, and it has an immeasurable impact on the promotion of Hogwarts and the fair disclosure of the alchemy legacy. But if it’s just the first day, it doesn’t mean I can’t agree.
After all, the International Federation of Wizards, as the official official of the competition, will also announce relevant documents and information to the wizarding circles of various countries as soon as possible. Although it is not as detailed as the major magic newspapers and magazines, its authenticity is beyond doubt.
"You really dare to make such a request," Maka said with a smile, "Then, why don't you tell me quickly?"